On February 28- March 1, 2022 a working trip of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov took place to the Turkestan region

On February 28, 2022, as part of a working trip of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov to the Turkestan region, a large meeting was held with representatives of political parties, NGOs, the media, public opinion leaders, bloggers and members of the region's election commissions. The event was attended by 290 participants.

The meeting discussed a set of issues and proposals of the election organizers and representatives of the local community to improve the electoral system and electoral legislation.

Thus, the participants of the meeting supported the holding of direct elections of akims of districts, it was proposed to strengthen measures of responsibility of participants in the electoral process for violating norms of electoral legislation, to ensure guarantees for the preservation of the electoral rights of citizens, including those with disabilities.

In addition, discussions on introduction of majoritarian and mixed electoral systems, as well as limiting the number of elections to deputies of the Mazhilis and Maslikhats were held.

The participants of the meeting also expressed their positions regarding legal requirements for presidential candidates. Thus, they unequivocally supported permanent residence of candidates in the country and experience of working in the civil service or elected positions.

They also consider it inadmissible to nominate candidates for elective positions with an outstanding criminal record and transfer of deputies of the Majilis and Maslikhats from one party to another.

Following the meeting, representatives of the civil society expressed their gratitude for the meeting to the leadership of the Central Election Commission and stressed that they support initiatives of the Head of State to build a New Kazakhstan and that this event is one of the first steps in this direction.

Nurlan Abdirov, in turn, expressed gratitude to the participants of the event and noted that the Central Election Commission is open for interaction and is ready to consider all public proposals aimed at improving the electoral process.

On the same day, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission met with the youth of the region. During the meeting, youth representatives put forward a number of proposals, including the right to nominate non-partisan citizens to deputies of the Mazhilis and maslikhats, raising the status of national observers, their training in the inter-electoral period, establishing an age limit for elected positions, and improving the electoral culture of youth.

There was also a versatile exchange of views on the introduction of electronic voting. According to some participants, the introduction of digital technologies, electronic voting carry risks for ensuring information security, as well as openness and transparency of the electoral process.

Following the meeting, the Chairman of the CEC expressed gratitude to the youth of the Turkestan region for an open, meaningful and interested dialogue, and stressed that the main goal of the Central Election Commission is to ensure the interest and participation of young voters in future electoral processes.

On March 1 this year, as part of a working trip, Nurlan Abdirov met with residents and the akim of the Kutarys rural district of the Sairam district, elected on July 25, 2021.

At the meeting, akim Myrzakhan Kerimbekov acquainted the CEC leadership and residents with the experience of his participation in the electoral campaign, as well as the ongoing work on the improvement and development of the village.

Residents of Kutarys gave a positive assessment for the last elections of the rural akim and the work of their elected akim.

Press service

Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Kazakhstan

tel. 75-23-69

v.zheksembekova@election.gov.kz